For a lot of us parents, date night doesn’t happen as often as we’d like. So when it comes along, it can be fun to step outside the box and go beyond your typical dinner and drinks agenda. Not only is it fun to try something new, it reinvigorates your relationship: research has shown that couples who do new and exciting things together are more satisfied.
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If you’re looking to connect with your partner in creative and adventurous ways, Austin is the perfect place to spice it up and keep it weird. From aerial yoga to ziplining, here are 30+ ideas for a unique, out-of-the-box date night with your partner.
SPORTY DATE NIGHT
Try out pickleball at Bouldin Acres in South Lamar or Dreamland in Dripping Springs, both of which also serve food and alcohol for the complete date experience.
Strap on some roller skates and pretend you’re in middle school again. Austin Roller Rink has BYOB adult nights Friday through Sunday, and Playland Skate Center has adult night on Saturdays, where they serve cocktails.
Stretch beyond your comfort zone, literally, at Sky Candy circus training center, which has drop-in classes for aerial yoga, silks, handstands, bungee fitness, trapeze, pole fitness, and more.
Reach new heights at an indoor climbing gym like Crux Climbing or Austin Bouldering Project.
See who’s got game at Smash ATX, where you can test your ping pong skills and enjoy elevated comfort food and delicious cocktails.
Release some tension and get a unique bonding experience at Unchartered Adventures, which has rage rooms where you can safely smash stuff, as well as splatter painting and axe throwing.
GAME-Y DATE NIGHT
For the young at heart, Pinballz offers a huge assortment of gaming experiences in their three locations, including over 200 pinball machines, virtual reality, laser tag, go-karting, and escape room challenges. The original Burnet Rd. location is BYOB, while the other two locations have full bars/restaurants.
For the more sophisticated gamers, Vigilante Gastropub and Games has almost 200 board games you can check out while enjoying yummy snacks, sandwiches, burgers, and craft cocktails.
Bishop Cidercade has 150+ games, both new and retro, as well artisan pizzas and 48 taps of hard ciders, hard kombuchas, and hard seltzers. Starting at 8 p.m. the bar is 21+.
Participate in a uniquely Austin game at the Little Longhorn Saloon, which hosts Chicken Sh*t Bingo every Sunday. If a chicken poops on the square whose number matches your ticket, you win! There’s also live music, two-stepping, and plenty of beer.
For a completely different bingo experience, check out Draq Queen Bingo every third Wednesday at St. Elmo Brewing. Louisianna Purchase, voted Austin’s top drag queen for the last three years, hosts and performs in between rounds.
FOOD & WINE-Y DATE NIGHT
Experience a tiki bar like no other at Tiki Tatsu-Ya, an immersive experience that transports you to an island where they serve magical drinks, some of which arrive at your table with their own show and sound effects.
Deep dive into all things cheese at Antonelli’s, which hosts a special Date Night tasting. They also present classes like “Perfect Pairings: Jam and Cheese” and events like “Bubbles, Brunch, and Goats.”
Channel your inner sommelier at House Wine, which hosts classes on wines from various regions. After the class, share a glass or bottle on their comfy patio.
Learn how to make something new as a couple at a cooking class. Some Austin favorites are Faraday’s Kitchen Store, Con’Olio, Let’s Eat Austin, and Kitchen Underground. You can also find classes hosted at chefs’ homes on Cozymeal.com.
OUTDOORSY DATE NIGHT
Visit the tree house at Pease Park after dark. The tree house is a unique two-story, open-air structure with a huge net perfect for stargazing and enjoying the glow of the firefly lights.
Take a dip in Austin Motel’s iconic pool during one of their Neon Night Swims, happening nightly from 5-10 p.m. until October. The pool bar stays open late serving up drinks and snacks. Reservations required.
Take a sunset trail ride on horseback with Texas Trail Rides at Lone Star Ranch, located within Austin city limits. The ride takes you through 600+ acres of forests, meadows, hills, and creeks.
Experience Lake Travis by moonlight with a Night Flight zipline experience. Start by taking a boat ride at sunset to an island, where you’ll journey through the 5-zipline course, complete with glow sticks and headlamps.
TOURISTY DATE NIGHT
See Austin by Segway—it may look dorky, but it’s super fun. Austin Segway Tour has a daily ghost and bat tour perfect for date night.
For more spooky fun, go on a tour with Haunted ATX, which offers public van tours and private hearse limo tours of historic (and sometimes creepy) Austin locations. For walking tours, check out The Original Austin Ghost Tours or Ghost City Tour’s Haunted Pub Crawl.
Soak up some sunshine and beer with a private pedicab tour of three of Austin’s award-winning breweries.
If you’d rather pedal yourself, Bike and Brew ATX offers several tours where you can enjoy riding a bike while visiting Austin’s famous landmarks and best breweries.
Go on a scavenger hunt adventure with Urban Adventure Quest, where you use your phone to solve clues and complete challenges while going on an engaging walking tour of Austin’s famous sights and hidden gems.
Enjoy a sunset cruise on the lake in a beautifully restored vintage boat from Retro Boat Rentals ATX.
ARTSY CRAFTY DATE NIGHT
Check out Wonderspaces, an immersive art show where you can walk through 14 different art installations as you sip a delicious cocktail.
At Upstairs Circus, choose one of their chic craft projects, like a beaded wrap bracelet, leather flask, or wine bottle tumbler, and sip a cocktail while you work on your creations.
Take a “Taste of Glassblowing” class for beginners at Ghost Pepper Glass, where you can both make a unique souvenir with the help of a professional instructor.
Visit “The Color Inside,” a Skyspace by James Turrell, on the UT campus. Reserve a sunset viewing experience to see the light sequence in the observatory; once a month musicians perform during the sunset sequence.
Go on a colorful morning walk to learn more about Austin’s murals, art history, and street art scene. The Austin Art Walk is a highly-rated tour through East Austin led by knowledgeable and passionate guides. It ends at a coffeehouse/bar, making for a perfect day date.
FUNNY/SEXY DATE NIGHT
Laugh until your sides hurt at Esther’s Follies, a hilarious show that has been entertaining audiences in Austin for over 40 years. The show incorporates magic, singing, dancing, and comedy sketches on current events.
See some of Austin’s best improv with a show at Coldtowne Theater or The Hideout.
Catch a performance by the highly acclaimed burlesque troupe The Jigglewatts. Their cheeky, elegant, and sexy brand of burlesque, featuring classically trained performers, thrills audiences at their monthly shows.
Photo Credit :: Stephanie Anne Studios
